The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-01-01
RACING ROGUERlES.
Criminal DOdgcs by Which Some Great
Horses Have Been Ruined.

Horses Have Been Ruined.
About half century ago, at New
market, several horses who stood high
in the betting at different times sud-
denly went off sick just before the race
for which they were entered; some died,
others recovered, but all were disabled
for the time being, and favorites that Il
few hours previously Outstripped every
rival would come struggling yards be-
hind the field. Every one knew they
had been "hobbled," but for Il long
time the perpetratOr remained undis-
covered; at last, however, n notorious
scoundrcl, one Dan Dawson, was
caught red-handed poisoning the
troughs. During the trial it came
out that he had made regular
trade of these nefarious practices, and
it was more than suspected that not u
few of the biggest men on the turf were
his employers; but, although he was
condemned to death, whether from the
hope that some among his influential
patrons would intercedc for reprieve,
or from that hatred which certain men
of his class have against "peaching,"
he never betrayed them, and remained
silent to the end. The most minute
precautions are taken to guard the
race-hOrse from such dangers, yet the
cunning or daring of his enemies fire.
quently proves more than match for
the care of his owners.
In 1924 LanercOst was regarded rs
the certain victor for the Ascot cup.
While he was being conveyed to the
course in van the grooms in charge
stopped Mt an inn between Leatherhead
and Sunninghill to refresh, leaving one
to keep watch. just after they had
gone into the house two sailors came
out of it, "Hello," cried one, "here's
Lanercost; let's have peep at him."
and he sprang up on the side of the
van, while his companion at the
same time diverted the attention
of the man on guard. A moment
afterward the first jumped down
again, and then the two disappeared
into copse. 1t was all done so quick
pose; and before he could summon his
mates the men We're out of sight When
the race came on, instead of achieving
the anticipated victory, poor Lanercost
came in last. In the course of the en-
suing month he entirely changed color,
and was never fit to run again. There
is no doubt that the pretended sailor
had contrived to administer some
powerful drug to the animal during the
few seconds he hung over his box.
Somewhere about the same time
horse named Marcus was the favorite
for the st. Leger. The day before the
race, while he and some other horses
were standing at the Doncaster Arms,
an Unlocking fellow entered the kitchen
of that tavern and seated himself beside
Il boiler from which the stable lads
were every now and then drawing wa
ter for their charges. There was no
one in the kitchen save maid-servant,
whom the stranger sent out to bring
him pot of beer. When she returned
the girl was going to fill her tea-kettle
from the boiler, but the fellow stopped
her by saying: II would not take my tea
water from there If was you, it looks
so yellow and greasy"
"All right; I'll get it outside" she
answered. When She came back the
second time the man was gone.
The next morning two horses We're
found dead in their stalls, while Mar
Gus, who was Just able to run, came in
last, and also died during the day.
Upon the bodies being opened arsenic
was found in their stomachs. The girl
then remembered the incident of thu
loafer, who had no doubt poisoned the
water in the copper; and had she
been as stubborn as most OF her kind
several human victims would have
leen added to the equine list. BY tho
lefeat Of Marcus the owner OF u horse
famed Chorister won f7,OOO.--Chans-
l0crs' journal.